Sometimes it seems that there are no traffic rules in Bali and no one cares about the situation on the road, but in reality, this is not the case. The police keep a watchful eye on violators and are ready to punish them immediately. Recently, road cameras also monitor violations, and fines are sent directly to the bike owners. Police can also record violations on a phone using a special app. The video, of course, can later be used as evidence of your guilt.
Main violations:
1. Riding without a helmet. The most noticeable of violations. A person without a helmet will be stopped first. Moreover, there is nothing good about riding without head protection, Balinese asphalt, though heavenly, is as hard as in your country. Wear a helmet to protect yourself from fines and injuries.
Fine 250,000 rupiah or imprisonment up to 1 month.
2. Riding without a license. The first thing an officer will ask for is your driving license. You will need international documents of the appropriate category. Licenses obtained in other ASEAN countries, such as Thai ones, are also acceptable. Of course, it’s best to show the police a nice local card. The question will be dropped immediately.
Fine 1 million rupiah or imprisonment up to 4 months.
3. Running a red light. If an officer catches you at this, a stop, an unpleasant conversation, and a fine will certainly follow.
Fine 500,000 rupiah or up to 2 months in prison.
4. Crossing the stop line - police don't like this. They might just gesture for you to return to your place, or they might fine you.
Fine 500,000 rupiah or up to 2 months in prison.
5. Carrying two or more passengers. Yes, even though Balinese indulge in this themselves and you can often see whole villages riding on a bike, it is prohibited. A police officer may let locals off, but he will certainly stop you. If you need to transport more people, just use apps like Gojek or Grab. Motorbike taxis on the island are very affordable.
Fine 250,000 rupiah or up to 1 month in prison.
6. Riding without a T-shirt. While not an official violation, it contradicts local culture. The police may well stop you for this and lecture you about respecting traditions and behaving in public places, and then, of course, ask for your driving license. Not the best way to spend your time.
Punishments are also provided for what happens on every Indonesian road every second. If only police could keep track of it. Nonetheless, in rare cases, the police might punish for these violations:
- Riding without a license plate, fine 500,000 rupiah.
- Violating maximum and minimum speed limits, fine 500,000 rupiah.
- Riding a modified bike (mufflers, strange horn sounds, etc.) or a bike without mirrors entails a fine of 250,000 rupiah.
- Riding without STNK - 500,000 rupiah.
- Riding without lights during the day - 100,000 rupiah.
- Riding without lights at night - 250,000 rupiah.
- Not using turn signals - 250,000 rupiah.
- Speeding - 500,000 rupiah.
Dmitry, expert of BaliMotion.pro:
Can foreigners be sent to prison for violations?
Answer: You can end up in prison for a serious accident, not for routine violations.
Can you recall the most bizarre fine in Bali?
Answer: A person was fined 500,000 rupiah by the court for driving with a bare torso, and during COVID, they could be forced to do push-ups for riding without a mask and a T-shirt.
What to do if a police officer wants a bribe or threatens to impound your bike since paying fines on the spot is prohibited?
Answer: If a cop wants a bribe, you must have violated something. For instance, riding without a helmet or perhaps without a license. I've never heard of anyone being stopped for nothing. The only way is to negotiate on the spot. Impounding a bike is a precautionary measure to ensure you appear in court within 20 days. Only the court issues fines and determines the amount. The police officer issues a violation order. They may also take your passport or license instead of the bike.
What is the official procedure for issuing a fine?
Answer: The police officer will issue a violation order. The fine is paid in court. Until the payment is made, what was taken as collateral will remain in pledge.
How and where to pay fines, or should the rental handle it? What does Balimotion do in such cases?
Answer: We usually ask to negotiate on the spot, as we are not at fault for these violations. Sometimes raids happen, and no one takes money then, as these are exemplary punishments. In such cases, we need a receipt. The fine amounts are known. We ask the client to pay us this amount, and then we pay the fine in court and retrieve the bike from the impound.
What about fines for drunk driving? Are there checks?
Answer: Violating and getting into an accident while intoxicated is a bad idea. In such a case, the punishment will be much harsher, especially if someone gets hurt because of you.
Of course, traffic rules are made to ensure safety on the roads, not to take money from you. With some adaptation to the Balinese reality, following them is beneficial for your health, not just to avoid being stopped by the police. Naturally, it's important that the bike itself is in good technical condition and allows you to follow these rules without breaking. Such bikes, fully ready for adventures, can be found at Balimotion.
Find out more and rent a bike on our website 👉 Balimotion.pro
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